A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1441 - 1439: Marriage Proposal Discussions

Jiang Wanying was again overwhelmed with gratitude.

Madam Shi looked at her, feeling a surge of emotions.

"You are, after all, the descendant of a noble family, who would have thought you would end up like this!"

"Doesn’t your father care about you?"

Jiang Wanrong gave a bitter smile.

"Once my younger siblings were born, how could my father have time for me?"

"As for my stepmother, let’s not even mention it. Aunt, you can imagine..."

As she spoke, tears began to well up.

Madam Shi quickly stopped her.

"Alright, no need to say more, I understand!"

"From now on, you can rest assured and stay by my side!"

"Your cousin and the Princess don’t live here, so you basically won’t see each other. You can be at ease!"

Jiang Wanying lowered her head, biting her lip, and responded softly, "Yes."

...

After the Mid-Autumn Festival,

Jiang Wanying indeed settled down peacefully in the mansion.

She was born into a noble family, whether in upbringing or knowledge, she was far beyond that of a concubine’s daughter.

So, even if she initially had some feelings for Shih Shaoling,

now seeing that her cousin had become the Fourth Prince Consort, and they were deeply in love, she gradually let go of her thoughts.

After all, not every young lady is willing to become someone’s concubine.

A girl of her status would never lower herself to be a concubine.

And to be a concubine to the Prince Consort, that would be a death wish.

No one would know how she might end up dead in the future.

Jiang Wanrong thought it over and had to painfully give up such a marriage.

’With Aunt here, and with Zhennan Marquis Mansion, I certainly won’t marry poorly!’

Once she figured it out, she settled down in the mansion, clinging tightly to her aunt.

If her aunt dressed her up? Then she would cooperate well.

If her aunt took her out, then she would behave herself.

If her aunt showed her care, she would treat her aunt with obedience and filial piety.

No matter what,

her mother had passed away early, and Madam Shi was her greatest support.

...

As autumn gave way to winter,

through the joint efforts of Jiang Wanrong and Madam Shi,

not only did they become as close as mother and daughter, but they also gained fame among the noblewomen of the Capital City.

Jiang Family has a grown-up daughter, a family with a daughter sought after by many.

This scenario was not an exaggeration.

Jiang Wanrong was born of noble lineage, legitimate and impeccable in status.

The Shi Family was even more remarkable.

With titles like First-Rank Great General, Marquis of Zhennan, and Imperial Teacher, the Shi Family quickly stood out among the noble circles of the Capital City within a few years.

Moreover, half a year ago, after the Fourth Princess married into the Shi Family,

it was like giving the Shi Family an immensely powerful shield.

For the next few decades, even a hundred years, as long as the Shi Family did not rebelliously seek to overthrow,

neither the Taishang Huang nor the New Emperor,

would ever act against their in-laws, sons-in-law, or brothers-in-law.

Therefore...

Building a marital connection with the Shi Family now would be like finding a strong protector for one’s own family!

Who wouldn’t want such a marriage?

...

Winter days are short.

After the noon rest, the weather remained gloomy, with gusts of northern wind howling, sounding extremely cold, as if it might snow again.

Fortunately, the ground dragon was burning warmly within the room, making the indoors feel especially cozy and comfortable compared to the outside.

At this moment,

Madam Shi was nestled on the kang, flipping through the documents sent by matchmakers about suitors.

A personal maid was attending her, preparing tea.

Seeing Madam showing signs of joy as she read, the maid smiled and said,

"Madam, have you found someone satisfactory?"

Madam Shi lightly shook her head.

"I can’t say satisfied!"

"I just noticed that the families wanting to marry Wanrong are of increasingly higher social standing!"

"That’s a good thing!" the maid laughed.

Madam Shi nodded.

"Indeed, it is!"

"Even Lady of Marquis Pingbei has given a notice, wanting to forge a marital connection with our family!"

"I had never thought of this before!"

The maid laughed and said,

"They’ve directly taken Miss Jiang as if she were a daughter of our family!"

One is Zhennan Marquis and the other Pingbei Marquis.

Regarding achievements, they are similar, and their level of favor and importance are also on par.

Although not an Imperial Teacher, the Marquis Pingbei has a vast family, abundant descendants, and remains quite prosperous.

Their status in the Capital City is by no means inferior, almost equal to that of the Marquis of Zhennan.

Which is why the maid made such a remark.

Madam Shi smiled.

"Their social standing is not bad, and they are quite sincere!"

"But our family has never had much interaction with the Marquis Pingbei, so we need Lingling to investigate more!"

"At the very least, we need to meet the legitimate son of Marquis Pingbei in person."

He’s a legitimate son, not a princely heir.

Even if Jiang Wanrong were to marry there, she couldn’t inherit the Marquis Pingbei Mansion.

However, Jiang Wanrong herself was not the legitimate young lady of Zhennan Marquis Mansion either.

From this perspective, they are considered a good match.

Madam Shi understood.

This marriage might be the highest social match Jiang Wanrong’s status could reach.

Thus, she was quite intrigued and hesitantly looked at the maid beside her.

"Do you think Wanrong would agree?"

The maid replied without a second thought.

"Why wouldn’t she agree?"

"Even if they were to live separately in the future, that young master is legitimate and the legitimate son of the old Marquis!"

"She wouldn’t suffer any loss in the future!"

"Our Miss Jiang might eventually establish a separate household when they marry, living independently!"

"Without a mother-in-law’s restrictions above, becoming the family matriarch upon entering, what’s there not to like?"

Madam Shi nodded.

"You’re right!"

"The urgent matter now is to immediately call someone to inquire about this child’s character!"

"If his character is good, we can promptly agree!"

"Wanrong has already come of age this year, and discussing a marriage now is, in fact, somewhat late!"

The maid hurriedly reassured.

"Not late at all, Madam is quite thoughtful!"

Madam Shi smiled softly and said nothing more.

...

As the year’s end approached day by day, preparations for the New Year had already begun in various parts of the Capital City.

The servants of Shi Mansion were busy with one thing or another.

Even Madam Shi was exhausted, so the matter was temporarily put on hold.

Starting from the latter part of the twelfth lunar month, the Shi Family hadn’t had a moment of leisure.

Madam Shi had to host and entertain guests, incredibly busy, not having a minute to herself.

Jiang Wanrong, unable to bear seeing her aunt in such a state, felt empathy and quickly took over some less critical tasks of the mansion.

"Don’t worry, Aunt!"

"I can handle this!"

Madam Shi, gazing at Jiang Wanrong’s appearance, which so closely resembled her younger sister’s, was momentarily entranced, feeling as if her sister had returned.

It was only upon her maid’s reminder that she snapped back to reality.

"There’s no need for you to trouble yourself!"

Madam Shi said with a smile.

"You’re just a child; it’s enough for you to handle the simple tasks!"

Jiang Wanrong, looking shy,

"Thank you, Aunt, for your understanding. These tasks are not difficult; I will assist Aunt immediately!"

After saying this, she respectfully took her leave.

As Madam Shi watched her obedient figure disappear under the corridor, a surge of indescribable sentiment swept over her.

"Alas..."